JP7738226B2 - Control method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control method and program.

Patent Document 1 discloses a communication device that displays the SSID (Service Set Identifier), received field strength, and congestion information of surrounding access points. When a user selects a desired access point from the displayed access points, a wireless connection is established between the communication device and the access point selected by the user.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-033285

As in Patent Document 1, a common method for establishing a wireless connection between a communication device and an access point is for the communication device to search for nearby access points, display the search results, and allow the user to select the access point to connect to from the search results. However, there are communication devices that do not even have a display unit. Furthermore, even if a communication device does have some kind of display device, it is difficult to use the display device when the user is specifying the access point to connect to.

The present invention therefore aims to provide a mechanism that allows a wireless connection to be established between a communication device and an access point without the user having to specify the access point to which the communication device will connect on the communication device.

To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a control method implemented by an application installed on a mobile terminal, comprising: a display step of displaying a screen prompting the user to operate the communication device in software access point mode; a determination step of determining whether the mobile terminal is connected to an access point based on the user's input of an instruction to proceed to the next step on the screen; a connection step of storing the SSID of the access point and connecting the mobile terminal to the communication device operating in software access point mode if the determination step determines that the mobile terminal is connected to the access point; and a transmission step of transmitting the stored SSID and a password for connecting to the access point to the communication device in order to connect the communication device to the access point, wherein in the connection step, the application instructs the OS of the mobile terminal to connect to the communication device operating in software access point mode, and the SSID of the communication device operating in software access point mode and the password for connecting to the communication device operating in software access point mode are pre-programmed into the application program before the application is installed on the mobile terminal.

The program provided by the present invention is an application program installed on a mobile terminal, which executes the following steps: a display step of displaying a screen prompting the user to operate the communication device in software access point mode; a determination step of determining whether the mobile terminal is connected to an access point based on the user's input of an instruction on the screen indicating that the mobile terminal should proceed to the next step; a connection step of storing the SSID of the access point and connecting the mobile terminal to the communication device operating in software access point mode if the determination step determines that the mobile terminal is connected to the access point; and a transmission step of transmitting the stored SSID and a password for connecting to the access point to the communication device in order to connect the communication device to the access point; wherein, in the connection step, the application instructs the OS of the mobile terminal to connect to the communication device operating in software access point mode, and the SSID of the communication device operating in software access point mode and the password for connecting to the communication device operating in software access point mode are pre-installed in the application program before the application is installed on the mobile terminal.

According to the present invention, a wireless connection can be established between a communication device and an access point without the user having to specify the access point to which the communication device will connect on the communication device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a system. FIG. 1 is an external view of a refrigerator 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a refrigerator 100. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a hinge cover 401 of the refrigerator 100. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation panel 304. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a mobile terminal 110. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the mobile terminal 110. 10 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the mobile terminal 110. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the mobile terminal 110. 10 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the mobile terminal 110. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the mobile terminal 110. 10 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the mobile terminal 110. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the mobile terminal 110. 10 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the refrigerator 100. 10 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the refrigerator 100.

The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.
(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the system of this embodiment. The system of this embodiment is composed of a refrigerator 100, a mobile terminal 110, and an access point 120. The refrigerator 100 is an example of a communication device, and establishes a wireless connection with the access point 120 using a connection procedure described below, and communicates with a server on the Internet. The access point 120 is, for example, a wireless LAN router. The mobile terminal 110 is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The mobile terminal 110 establishes a wireless connection with the access point 120, and communicates with a server on the Internet.

Figure 2 is an external view of refrigerator 100. Refrigerator 100 has multiple storage compartments, specifically, a refrigerator compartment 201, an ice-making compartment 202, an upper freezer compartment 203, a lower freezer compartment 204, and a vegetable compartment 205. Furthermore, a partial/chilled selectable compartment is provided inside refrigerator compartment 201.

Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of refrigerator 100. CPU 301 is a processor that reads control programs stored in ROM 302 and executes various processes to control the operation of refrigerator 100. ROM 302 is a non-volatile storage medium that stores various data such as control programs. RAM 303 is a volatile storage medium used as a temporary storage area. Note that a microcontroller may be provided instead of CPU 301, ROM 302, and RAM 303, and this microcontroller may control the operation of refrigerator 100.

The operation panel 304 accepts user operations for the refrigerator 100. The operation panel 304 will be explained in detail later using Figure 5.

The wireless LAN I/F 305 performs wireless LAN communication such as IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac. As shown in FIG. 4, the wireless LAN I/F 305 is housed inside the hinge cover 401 of the door that closes the refrigerator compartment 201.

The wireless LAN I/F 305 establishes a wireless connection with the access point 120 and communicates with a server on the Internet. The refrigerator 100 can also operate in software access point mode (hereinafter referred to as soft AP mode). Soft AP mode is a mode in which the refrigerator 100 operates as a wireless LAN access point. When the refrigerator 100 operates in soft AP mode, a wireless connection is established between the mobile terminal 110 and the wireless LAN I/F 305, and the mobile terminal 110 and the refrigerator 100 communicate directly via wireless LAN without going through a relay device such as the access point 120.

Although not shown in Figure 3, the refrigerator 100 is equipped with a refrigeration cycle consisting of a compressor, condenser, cooler, etc. The cool air generated by the cooler cools each storage compartment, such as the refrigerator compartment 201, to a predetermined temperature range.

Figure 5 shows the operation panel 304. The operation panel 304 is located on the side wall of the refrigerator compartment 201. The quick ice button 501 is a button for instructing the refrigerator 100 to make ice quickly. The stop ice making button 502 is a button for instructing the refrigerator 100 to stop making ice. The refrigeration button 503 and the freezer button 504 are buttons for adjusting the temperatures of the refrigerator compartment 201 and the lower freezer compartment 204, respectively. The partial button 505 is a button for adjusting the temperature of the partial/chilled selectable compartment. The display unit 506 displays information such as error codes.

Next, the remote control button 507 will be described. When the remote control setting for the refrigerator 100 is OFF and the user presses the remote control button 507, the remote control setting will be turned ON. When the remote control setting is ON, it becomes possible to change the settings of the refrigerator 100 in response to instructions from the refrigerator application 702, which will be described later. On the other hand, when the remote control setting is ON and the user presses the remote control button 507, the remote control setting will be turned OFF. When the remote control setting is OFF, it becomes impossible to change the settings of the refrigerator 100 in response to instructions from the refrigerator application 702, which will be described later.

Furthermore, when the remote control setting is ON and the user presses the remote control button 507 for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 3 seconds) or more, not only is the remote control setting turned OFF, but the power supply to the wireless LAN I/F 305 is also cut off. By cutting off the power supply to the wireless LAN I/F 305, the power consumption of the refrigerator 100 can be reduced. When the user presses the remote control button 507 while the remote control setting is OFF and the power supply to the wireless LAN I/F 305 is cut off, the remote control setting is turned ON and the power supply to the wireless LAN I/F 305 begins.

Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 110. The CPU 601 is a processor that reads control programs stored in the flash memory 602 and executes various processes to control the operation of the mobile terminal 110. The flash memory 602 is a non-volatile storage medium that stores various data such as control programs and application programs installed on the mobile terminal 110. The RAM 603 is a volatile storage medium used as a temporary storage area. The operation unit 604 is a key, and multiple keys are provided on the mobile terminal 110. The display unit 605 is a touch panel that displays information such as images and videos and accepts instructions from the user via touch operations. The wireless LAN I/F 606 performs wireless LAN communication such as IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac. The wireless LAN I/F 606 establishes a wireless connection with the access point 120 and communicates with a server on the Internet. Camera 607 has a photographing function and a reading function for reading two-dimensional codes such as QR codes (registered trademark).

Next, the software configuration of the mobile terminal 110 will be explained using Figure 7. Figure 7 is a functional block diagram of software implemented when the CPU 601 reads control programs and application programs stored in the flash memory 602.

OS (Operating System) 701 is basic software for controlling the overall operation of mobile terminal 110, and is implemented when CPU 601 reads a control program. Various applications can also be installed on mobile terminal 110. OS 701 exchanges information with these applications and controls the operation of mobile terminal 110 in accordance with instructions received from the applications.

Refrigerator application 702 is one of the applications installed on mobile terminal 110. Refrigerator application 702 is an application provided to the user for use with the refrigerator, and allows the settings of refrigerator 100 to be changed from refrigerator application 702, and notifications sent by refrigerator 100 (for example, notifications indicating that ice making is complete) to be displayed on mobile terminal 110. A refrigerator application program for realizing refrigerator application 702 is stored in flash memory 602. Refrigerator application 702 is realized when CPU 601 reads the refrigerator application program.

Next, the procedure for establishing a wireless connection between the refrigerator 100 and the access point 120 will be explained using Figures 8 to 15. The user connects the refrigerator 100 to the access point 120 by following the guide screens provided by the refrigerator application 702.

The processing executed by the mobile terminal 110 will be explained using the flowcharts in Figures 8, 10, and 12. Each step shown in these flowcharts is realized by the CPU 601 loading the control program and refrigerator application program stored in the flash memory 602 into the RAM 603 and executing them. In addition, the screens displayed by the mobile terminal 110 will be explained using Figures 9, 11, and 3.

First, in step 801, the refrigerator application 702 displays a screen showing how to operate the refrigerator 100. The screen displayed on the display unit 605 of the mobile terminal 110 here is the operation screen 900 shown in FIG. 9 (A). The operation screen 900 lets the user know that they need to press the remote operation button 507 on the refrigerator 100 for three seconds or more. When the remote operation button 507 is pressed for three seconds or more, the refrigerator 100 transitions from normal operation mode to wireless connection mode. The normal operation mode and wireless connection mode will be explained in more detail later.

Next, in step 802, the refrigerator application 702 determines whether to display the next screen. When the user touches button 901 on the operation screen 900, the refrigerator application 702 determines that the next screen should be displayed, and processing proceeds to step 803.

Next, in step 803, the refrigerator application 702 displays a screen that allows the user to select a connection method for connecting the refrigerator 100 to the access point. The screen displayed on the display unit 605 of the mobile terminal 110 here is the selection screen 910 in FIG. 9(B). The selection screen 910 allows the user to select either a simple connection or a detailed connection as the connection method for connecting the refrigerator 100 to the access point.

Next, in step 804, the refrigerator application 702 determines whether the connection method selected by the user is a simple connection or an advanced connection. When the user touches button 911 on the selection screen 910, the refrigerator application 702 determines that the connection method selected by the user is a simple connection, and processing proceeds to step 805. On the other hand, when the user touches button 912 on the selection screen 910, the refrigerator application 702 determines that the connection method selected by the user is an advanced connection, and processing proceeds to step 1001 in Figure 10.

Now, we will explain simple connection. Simple connection is a method of easily establishing a wireless connection between the refrigerator 100 and the access point 120 by having the refrigerator 100 and the access point 120 simultaneously execute connection processing. In step 805, the refrigerator application 702 displays a screen showing the refrigerator 100 and access point operation methods required for simple connection. The screen displayed on the display unit 605 of the mobile terminal 110 here is operation screen 920 in FIG. 9 (C). Operation screen 920 allows the user to understand the operations required for simple connection. When the refrigeration button 503 on the operation panel 304 is pressed on the refrigerator 100 in wireless connection mode, the refrigerator 100 executes connection processing. Furthermore, the access point 120 also executes connection processing at the same time as the refrigerator 100 executes connection processing, thereby establishing a wireless connection between the refrigerator 100 and the access point 120. The connection processing executed by the refrigerator 100 will be explained in detail later.

Next, in step 806, the refrigerator application 702 determines whether to display the next screen. When the user touches button 921 on the operation screen 920, the refrigerator application 702 determines that the next screen should be displayed, and processing proceeds to step 807.

Next, in step 807, the refrigerator application 702 displays a screen prompting the user to confirm that the refrigerator 100 has connected to the access point. The screen displayed on the display unit 605 of the mobile terminal 110 here is the confirmation screen 930 in FIG. 9 (D). The confirmation screen 930 allows the user to confirm whether the refrigerator 100 has connected to the access point.

Next, detailed connection will be explained. Detailed connection is a method of establishing a wireless connection between the refrigerator 100 and the access point 120 by sending the SSID of the access point 120 and the password required to connect to the access point 120 from the mobile terminal 110 to the refrigerator 100. In step 1001 of FIG. 10, the refrigerator application 702 displays a screen showing how to operate the refrigerator 100. The screen displayed on the display unit 605 of the mobile terminal 110 here is operation screen 1100 shown in FIG. 11(A). Operation screen 1100 allows the user to understand that they need to press the partial button 505 on the refrigerator 100. When the partial button 505 on the operation panel 304 is pressed with the refrigerator 100 in wireless connection mode, the refrigerator 100 starts operating in soft AP mode.

Next, in step 1002, the refrigerator application 702 determines whether to display the next screen. When the user touches button 1101 on the operation screen 1100, the refrigerator application 702 determines that the next screen should be displayed, and processing proceeds to step 1003.

Next, in step 1003, the refrigerator application 702 determines whether the mobile terminal 110 is currently connected to an access point. This determination is made by the refrigerator application 702 querying the OS 701 for the SSID of the access point to which the mobile terminal 110 is currently connected. If the OS 701 returns the SSID of the access point to which the mobile terminal 110 is currently connected to the refrigerator application 702, the refrigerator application 702 determines that the mobile terminal 110 is currently connected to the access point, and processing proceeds to step 1004. On the other hand, if the OS 701 does not return the SSID of the access point to which the mobile terminal 110 is currently connected to the refrigerator application 702, the refrigerator application 702 determines that the mobile terminal 110 is not currently connected to the access point, and processing proceeds to step 1008.

Next, step 1004 will be described. In step 1004, the refrigerator application 702 stores the SSID of the access point to which the mobile terminal 110 is connected. If the access point to which the mobile terminal 110 is connected is access point 120, the refrigerator application 702 stores the SSID of access point 120. By processing steps 1003 and 1004, the refrigerator application 702 can obtain the SSID of the access point to which the mobile terminal 110 is connected from the OS 701.

Next, in step 1005, the refrigerator application 702 connects to the refrigerator operating in soft AP mode. The refrigerator application 702 instructs the OS 701 to connect to the refrigerator operating in soft AP mode, and under the control of the OS 701, the mobile terminal 110 sends a connection request to the refrigerator operating in soft AP mode. In this embodiment, because the refrigerator 100 is operating in soft AP mode as described in step 1001, the mobile terminal 110 sends a connection request to the refrigerator 100. A wireless connection is then established between the mobile terminal 110 and the refrigerator 100.

In order for the mobile terminal 110 to connect to the refrigerator 100 operating in soft AP mode, the mobile terminal 110 must identify the SSID of the refrigerator 100 and the password required for connection. In this embodiment, the SSID and password of the refrigerator 100 are determined in advance when the refrigerator 100 is manufactured, and these SSID and password are pre-installed in the application program of the refrigerator application 702. As a result, the mobile terminal 110 can identify the SSID of the refrigerator 100 and the password required for connection when the refrigerator application 702 is installed. From the user's perspective, this improves user convenience because there is no need to specify the SSID of the refrigerator 100 on the mobile terminal 110 or enter the password required for connection into the mobile terminal 110. Note that in cases where a password is not required when the mobile terminal 110 connects to the refrigerator 100 operating in soft AP mode, it is sufficient to pre-install only the SSID of the refrigerator 100 in the application program of the refrigerator application 702.

Next, in step 1006, the refrigerator application 702 determines whether the connection to the refrigerator operating in soft AP mode was successful. If the refrigerator application 702 determines that the connection to the refrigerator operating in soft AP mode was successful, processing proceeds to step 1201 in FIG. 12. On the other hand, if the refrigerator application 702 determines that the connection to the refrigerator operating in soft AP mode was unsuccessful, processing proceeds to step 1007.

Next, step 1201 in FIG. 12 will be described. In step 1201, the refrigerator application 702 displays a screen for the user to enter a password required to connect to the access point. The screen displayed on the display unit 605 of the mobile terminal 110 here is the password entry screen 1300 in FIG. 13(A). Area 1301 of the password entry screen 1300 displays the SSID stored in step 1004 (the SSID of the access point 120 in this embodiment). The user enters the password for connecting to the access point with the SSID displayed on the password entry screen 1300 in input area 1302. Note that the password for connecting to the access point is accepted from the user because the refrigerator application 702 cannot obtain the password from the OS 701.

Next, in step 1202, the refrigerator application 702 determines whether password entry is complete. When the user enters a password in input area 1302 and touches button 1303, the refrigerator application 702 determines that password entry is complete, and processing proceeds to step 1203.

Next, in step 1203, the refrigerator application 702 transmits the SSID stored in step 1004 and the password entered by the user to the refrigerator via the established wireless connection. The refrigerator application 702 instructs the OS 701 to transmit the SSID stored in step 1004 and the password entered by the user, and transmission from the mobile terminal 110 to the refrigerator is achieved under the control of the OS 701. In this embodiment, the SSID of the access point 120 and the password required to connect to the access point 120 are transmitted to the refrigerator 100. The refrigerator 100 then attempts to connect to the access point 120 based on the received SSID and password.

Next, in step 1204, the refrigerator application 702 displays a screen prompting the user to confirm that the refrigerator 100 has connected to the access point. The screen displayed on the display unit 605 of the mobile terminal 110 here is the confirmation screen 1310 in FIG. 13 (B). The confirmation screen 1310 allows the user to confirm whether the refrigerator 100 has connected to the access point.

Next, in step 1205, the refrigerator application 702 determines whether to return the connection destination of the mobile terminal 110 to the original access point. If the user touches button 1311 on the confirmation screen 1310, or if a predetermined time (e.g., five minutes) has elapsed while the confirmation screen 1310 is displayed, the refrigerator application 702 determines that the connection destination of the mobile terminal 110 should be returned to the original access point, and processing proceeds to step 1206.

Next, in step 1206, the refrigerator application 702 returns the connection destination of the mobile terminal 110 to the original access point. The refrigerator application 702 instructs the OS 701 to connect to the access point with the SSID stored in step 1004, and under the control of the OS 701, the connection destination of the mobile terminal 110 returns to the original access point. In this embodiment, the connection destination of the mobile terminal 110 returns from the refrigerator 100 to the access point 120.

In this embodiment, the connection destination of the mobile terminal 110 is changed from the access point 120 to the refrigerator 100 as the detailed connection procedure proceeds. If the mobile terminal 110 remains connected to the refrigerator 100, the user will be unable to use the mobile terminal 110 as usual. In this embodiment, the processing in step 1206 allows the connection destination of the mobile terminal 110 to be returned to the access point 120, improving user convenience.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 10, the process performed when it is determined in step 1006 that the connection to the refrigerator operating in soft AP mode has failed will now be described. In step 1007, the refrigerator application 702 returns the connection destination of the mobile terminal 110 to the original access point. The refrigerator application 702 instructs the OS 701 to connect to the access point with the SSID stored in step 1004, and the connection destination of the mobile terminal 110 is returned to the original access point under the control of the OS 701. The inability of the mobile terminal 110 to connect to the refrigerator 100 operating in soft AP mode indicates that the detailed connection cannot be continued. Therefore, in this embodiment, the connection destination of the mobile terminal 110 is returned to the access point 120 to which the mobile terminal 110 was originally connected, thereby improving user convenience. In step S1007, the refrigerator application 702 may also display an error screen 1110 shown in FIG. 11(B). If a user who sees the error screen 1110 attempts to connect in detail again near the refrigerator 100, there is a possibility that the mobile device 110 will be able to successfully connect to the refrigerator 100 operating in soft AP mode.

Next, we will explain the processing that occurs when it is determined in step 1003 that the mobile terminal 110 is not currently connected to an access point. In step 1008, the refrigerator application 702 displays a screen that prompts the user to connect the mobile terminal to the access point. The screen displayed on the display unit 605 of the mobile terminal 110 here is the confirmation screen 1120 in FIG. 11 (C). To perform a detailed connection, the mobile terminal 110 must be connected to an access point. By checking the confirmation screen 1120, the user can understand that they need to connect the mobile terminal 110 to an access point.

Next, the processing executed by the refrigerator 100 will be explained using the flowcharts in Figures 14 and 15. Each step shown in these flowcharts is realized by the CPU 301 loading a control program stored in ROM 302 into RAM 303 and executing it.

When a user checks the operation screen 900 in FIG. 9(A) and presses the remote operation button 507 on the operation panel 304 for three seconds or more, the refrigerator 100 transitions from normal operation mode to wireless connection mode in step 1401. Normal operation mode is a mode in which the refrigerator 100 performs normal operations, such as cooling based on the temperatures of each storage compartment, such as the refrigerator compartment 201 and freezer compartment 202, and defrosting using a defrost heater. On the other hand, wireless connection mode is a mode in which the refrigerator 100 connects to an access point via a simple connection or detailed connection.

Next, in step 1402, the refrigerator 100 determines whether the connection method with the access point is a simple connection or a detailed connection. When a user checks the operation screen 920 in FIG. 9 (C) and presses the refrigeration button 503 on the operation panel 304, the refrigerator 100 determines that a simple connection should be made, and processing proceeds to step 1403. On the other hand, when a user checks the operation screen 1100 in FIG. 11 (A) and presses the partial button 505 on the operation panel 304, the refrigerator 100 determines that a detailed connection should be made, and processing proceeds to step 1408.

The functions of each button on the operation panel 304 described in FIG. 5 apply when the refrigerator 100 is operating in normal operation mode and do not apply when the refrigerator 100 is operating in wireless connection mode. For example, the refrigeration button 503 is used as a button for adjusting the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 201 in normal operation mode, but is not used as a button for adjusting the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 201 in wireless connection mode. In wireless connection mode, the refrigeration button 503 is used as a button for the user to input into the refrigerator 100 a command to connect the refrigerator 100 to an access point. Similarly to the refrigeration button 503, the partial button 505 is also used as a button for the user to input into the refrigerator 100 a command to connect the refrigerator 100 to an access point in wireless connection mode. By using a button used in normal operation mode, such as the refrigeration button 503 for adjusting the temperature of a storage compartment, in wireless connection mode, there is no need to add a new button for the wireless connection mode. Furthermore, even if a new button is added for operation in wireless connection mode, the number of additional buttons can be reduced. Note that instead of a button for adjusting the temperature of the storage compartment, such as the refrigeration button 503, a button related to the ice-making function, such as the quick-freeze button 501, may be used as the button with which the user inputs instructions to the refrigerator 100 to connect the refrigerator 100 to an access point.

Next, we will explain simple connection. In step 1403, the refrigerator 100 executes the connection process for simple connection. The refrigerator 100 executes search processes for WPS, AOSS, and Easy Wireless Start in a time-sharing or parallel manner. When the refrigerator 100 discovers access points operating in WPS, AOSS, or Easy Wireless Start at the same time, it establishes a wireless connection between the discovered access points.

Next, in step 1404, the refrigerator 100 determines whether or not the connection to the access point was successful. If a wireless connection with the access point is established by the connection process in step 1403, the refrigerator 100 determines that the connection to the access point was successful, and the process proceeds to step 1405. On the other hand, if a wireless connection with the access point is not established even after a predetermined time (e.g., two minutes) has elapsed since the start of the connection process in step 1403, the refrigerator 100 determines that the connection to the access point failed, and the process proceeds to step 1407.

Next, in step 1405, the refrigerator 100 notifies the user that it has connected to the access point. A lighting device such as an LED is provided on the door of the refrigerator compartment 201 of the refrigerator 100, and the refrigerator 100 notifies the user that it has connected to the access point by lighting this LED in a predetermined color (for example, blue). Note that the method of notifying the user that it has connected to the access point is not limited to lighting up a lighting device such as an LED; the refrigerator 100 may also output a voice message notifying the user that it has connected to the access point. Alternatively, the refrigerator 100 may instruct a predetermined smart speaker to output a voice message notifying the user that it has connected to the access point, and the smart speaker may then output the voice message.

Next, in step 1406, the refrigerator 100 determines whether to return from wireless connection mode to normal operation mode. If a predetermined time (e.g., one minute) has elapsed since executing the processing of step 1405, the refrigerator 100 determines that it will return from wireless connection mode to normal operation mode, and processing proceeds to step 1407.

Next, in step 1407, the refrigerator 100 returns from the wireless connection mode to the normal operation mode. Note that even if it is determined in step 1404 that the connection to the access point has failed, the process proceeds to step 1407, and the refrigerator 100 returns from the wireless connection mode to the normal operation mode.

Next, detailed connection procedures will be described. In step 1408, the refrigerator 100 starts operating in soft AP mode. The SSID of the refrigerator 100 operating in soft AP mode and the password required for an external device to connect to the refrigerator 100 operating in soft AP mode are determined in advance when the refrigerator 100 is manufactured. These SSID and password match those pre-installed in the application program of the refrigerator application 702. Note that it is also possible to operate the refrigerator 100 in soft AP mode without requiring a password when an external device connects. In this case, it is sufficient to pre-install only the SSID of the refrigerator 100 in the application program of the refrigerator application 702.

Next, in step 1501 of FIG. 15, the refrigerator 100 determines whether a connection request for the refrigerator 100 operating in soft AP mode has been received from an external device. In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 110 sends a connection request to the refrigerator 100 operating in soft AP mode (see step 1005 of FIG. 10). If the refrigerator 100 receives the connection request, processing proceeds to step 1502. On the other hand, if no connection request for the refrigerator 100 operating in soft AP mode has been received within a predetermined time (e.g., two minutes) since the refrigerator 100 started operating in soft AP mode, processing proceeds to step 1508.

Next, in step 1502, the refrigerator 100 establishes a wireless connection with the external device that sent the connection request. In this embodiment, a wireless connection is established between the refrigerator 100 and the mobile terminal 110.

Next, in step 1503, the refrigerator 100 determines whether it has received the SSID of the access point and the password for connecting to the access point from the external device connected to the refrigerator 100. In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 110 transmits the SSID of the access point 120 and the password for connecting to the access point 120 to the refrigerator 100 (see step 1203 in FIG. 12). If the refrigerator 100 receives the SSID of the access point and the password for connecting to the access point from the external device, the process proceeds to step 1504. On the other hand, if the refrigerator 100 does not receive the SSID of the access point and the password for connecting to the access point within a predetermined time (e.g., two minutes) after the wireless connection between the refrigerator 100 and the external device is established, the process proceeds to step 1508.

Next, in step 1504, the refrigerator 100 connects to the access point based on the SSID and password received from the external device. In this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 establishes a wireless connection with the access point 120.

Next, in step 1505, refrigerator 100 determines whether connection to the access point was successful. If refrigerator 100 determines that connection to the access point was successful, processing proceeds to step 1506. On the other hand, if refrigerator 100 determines that connection to the access point was unsuccessful, processing proceeds to step 1508.

Next, in step 1506, the refrigerator 100 notifies the user that it has connected to the access point. The processing in step 1506 is the same as the processing described in step 1405 of FIG. 14. Note that step 1506 differs from step 1405 in that the refrigerator 100 has established a wireless connection not only with the access point 120 but also with the mobile terminal 110. Therefore, the refrigerator 100 may notify the refrigerator application 702 of the mobile terminal 110 that it has connected to the access point, and the refrigerator application 702, upon receiving the notification, may display on the display unit 605 that the refrigerator 100 has connected to the access point.

Next, in step 1507, the refrigerator 100 determines whether to return from wireless connection mode to normal operation mode. If a predetermined time (e.g., one minute) has elapsed since the processing of step 1506 was performed, or if the wireless connection between the refrigerator 100 and the mobile terminal 110 is disconnected, the refrigerator 100 determines that it will return from wireless connection mode to normal operation mode, and processing proceeds to step 1508.

Next, in step 1508, the refrigerator 100 returns from wireless connection mode to normal operation mode. Also, in step 1508, the refrigerator 100 ends operation in soft AP mode. Note that if it is determined in step 1501 that a connection request has not been received from an external device, the process also proceeds to step 1508, where the refrigerator 100 returns from wireless connection mode to normal operation mode. Also, if it is determined in step 1503 that an SSID and password have not been received, the process also proceeds to step 1508, where the refrigerator 100 returns from wireless connection mode to normal operation mode. Also, if it is determined in step 1505 that connection to the access point has failed, the process also proceeds to step 1508, where the refrigerator 100 returns from wireless connection mode to normal operation mode.

As described above, in the detailed connection procedure, the refrigerator application 702 of the mobile terminal 110 transmits the SSID of the access point 120 and the password for connecting to the access point 120 to the refrigerator 100. The refrigerator 100 then establishes a wireless connection with the access point 120 based on the received SSID and password. This allows a wireless connection to be established between the refrigerator 100 and the access point 120 even if the user does not specify on the refrigerator 100 the access point 120 to which the refrigerator 100 will connect.
(Modification)
The connection method for establishing a wireless connection between refrigerator 100 and access point 120 described in the above embodiment can also be applied to other communication devices equipped with a wireless LAN communication function. For example, the connection method described in the above embodiment can also be applied to communication devices equipped with a wireless LAN communication function, such as washing machines, air conditioners, microwave ovens, rice cookers, dishwashers, digital cameras, and printers.

100 Refrigerator 110 Mobile terminal 120 Access point 304 Operation panel 305 Wireless LAN I/F
605 Display section 606 Wireless LAN I/F
701 OS
702 Refrigerator Application

Claims (6)

A control method implemented by an application installed on a mobile terminal, comprising:
an acquisition step of acquiring an SSID of an access point to which the mobile terminal is currently connected;
a wireless connection step of establishing a wireless connection between the mobile terminal and the refrigerator;
a connection determination step of determining whether a wireless connection between the mobile terminal and the refrigerator has been established;
a display step of displaying a password entry screen that requests a user to enter a password required to connect to the access point, on condition that the connection is determined to be successful in the connection determination step;
a transmitting step of transmitting the SSID acquired in the acquiring step and the password entered by the user on the password entry screen to the refrigerator in order to connect the refrigerator to the access point. The control method according to claim 1 , wherein the SSID acquired in the acquisition step is displayed on the password input screen. On your mobile device,
an acquisition step of acquiring an SSID of an access point to which the mobile terminal is currently connected;
a wireless connection step of establishing a wireless connection between the mobile terminal and the refrigerator;
a connection determination step of determining whether a wireless connection between the mobile terminal and the refrigerator has been successful; and a display step of displaying a password entry screen requesting a user to enter a password required to connect to the access point, on the condition that the connection has been determined to be successful in the connection determination step.
a transmitting step of transmitting the SSID acquired in the acquiring step and the password entered by the user on the password entry screen to the refrigerator in order to connect the refrigerator to the access point. The program described in claim 3, characterized in that the SSID acquired in the acquisition step is displayed on the password input screen. a mobile terminal, an acquisition means for acquiring an SSID of an access point to which the mobile terminal is connected;
a wireless connection step of establishing a wireless connection between the mobile terminal and the refrigerator;
a connection determination step of determining whether a wireless connection between the mobile terminal and the refrigerator has been established;
On the condition that it is determined that the connection is successful in the connection determination step,
a display means for displaying a password entry screen that requests a user to enter a password necessary to connect to the access point;
a transmitting means for transmitting the SSID acquired by the acquiring means and the password entered by a user on the password entry screen to the refrigerator in order to connect the refrigerator to the access point. The mobile terminal described in claim 5, characterized in that the SSID acquired by the acquisition means is displayed on the password input screen.